Chris Proctor

Chris Proctor’s
Solo Guitar Orchestra

Critics call his guitar playing “breathtaking,” “haunting,” and “rich.” Guitar magazines describe his compositions as “spectacular,” “elegant,” and “exquisite,” and praise his twelve-string work as “revelatory.” Media reviewers trace the roots of his style to folk, jazz, pop, and classical music, categorize his playing as “Baroque Folk,” and “Instrumental Americana,” and compare him to Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges.

lotus_color-200x250Another reviewer ventured this analysis: “What to call his unique melange of styles? There’s an aspect of Americana in the echoes of Appalachian and old-timey styles that are apparent in just about every track, but there are also elements of jazz, Celtic folk, and a dash of blues in here somewhere. What Proctor does is create guitar music that reflects the whole heritage of the instrument and still has his own distinct stamp — a tall order, but he’s up to the job”

These luminous and diverse quotes characterize the media’s efforts to describe Chris Proctor’s solo, 6 and 12-string  guitar concerts and recordings. Two additional comments typify the first-time listener’s reaction: “Wow- I didn’t know that acoustic guitars could sound like that,” and, ” It seems as if there are three guitarists up there on stage, not just one.”

Here’s more of what critics, listeners, presenters and concert audiences say about Chris Proctor:

  • He is an acclaimed composer of original music and a wonderful arranger for the 6 and 12-string guitars.
  • He is a performer with a gift for communicating the tremendous variety, vitality, and accessibility of his music.
  • His amazing variety of guitar sounds and textures, and the rich tapestry of bass, melody, and inner voices, bring an orchestral quality to his music that surprises and delights audiences who haven’t heard him before.
  • His compositions and arrangements shine with folk, jazz, pop, classical, and ethnic influences.
  • He is a superlative workshop, master class and residency/outreach leader,  author of numerous instructional articles in the guitar press, and producer of two world-class instructional videos for 6 and 12-string players.

CeCe Gable and her Jazz Trio

CeCe GableCeCe draws the listener into her captivating world of song with an incredible depth of emotion. She swings with rhythmic passion and also has the ability to caress a ballad with effortless interpretation. Influenced by many of the women and men of jazz, she offers her own voice on jazz standards and the American Songbook. She shines on any stage whether she is accompanied by a solo pianist, a trio or an entire orchestra… you’ll find you cannot get enough of this jazz experience.

Well known to audiences up and down the Pacific Coast and throughout the western states, CeCe Gable is rapidly becoming one of the premiere jazz singers in the region.

A native of Barberton, Ohio, and a graduate of Kent State University, CeCe lived in Winnemucca for a few years while she was working as an artist in residence in Winnemucca schools. While she was in Winnemucca she primarily taught dance and creative movement to budding young artist’s. CeCe now makes her home in the Reno/Tahoe area as a performing and recording artist.

A consummate jazz cabaret performer, she has sung in jazz clubs throughout the United States and Europe including New Orleans, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Fiji, Munich, Athens and at New York City’s Iridium with Les Paul.

She has presented the works of George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim and Kurt Weill to rave reviews in a variety of venues. According to Metroland (Albany, NY), CeCe Gable is a performer who exudes warmth, sophistication, a generous stage presence and rare versatility. A unique, compelling performer with a style and sound all her own, CeCe has been compared to the song stylists of the ’50’s with a contemporary twist.

Admired as a “quiet surprise” by audiences nationwide, CeCe has become known for delivering an honest performance and has prompted more than one audience member to say “When you sing I see the music flow through you and I believe you.”

Richard Feldman, stage director and arts critic for The Record (Troy, NY) asserts that “CeCe Gable is one of those rare performers whose mellow vocals, stylistic sophistication, diversity of material and intimate delivery combine perfectly to convince us that she’s singing to each of us…personally.”

Colin Ross ~ Evolution of the Blues

Evolution of the Blues is a presentation sponsored in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius

From its earliest roots to contemporary musical fusion, the Blues is the common thread in American music. Drawing from a vast repertoire of music played on a variety of traditional instruments, Colin Ross puts on an unforgettable show.

The show traces the history of the blues through an astonishing variety of styles. Whether it is energetic old time stride and boogie, the harmonic complexity of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, the gentle roll of Mississippi John Hurt, or the driving sting of Muddy Waters, the music is played with uncompromising technique, integrity, and soul.

Reno based composer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Ross plays a large and ever-shifting repertoire of original music, jazz standards and blues classics. Beginning with classical piano at the age of five, Colin has continued to study and grow throughout his career, playing a variety of instruments and styles. While maintaining a full time performance schedule, Colin has recorded and released five CDs on his own label, Oharaross Productions. Colin’s band features piano, electric, acoustic, 12-string and slide guitars, bass, drums, percussion, vocal harmonies, winds, and various folk and electronic instruments.

$10 Tickets are ON SALE NOW at The Martin Hotel and Nature’s Corner.

Here is a brief video of the “Evolution of the Blues Show” at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City.

Organic – Type Busting – Cross Genre
Rock and Roll

The Saul Kaye Band
Music at the Martin
Saturday, December 27, 2008

Saul Kaye
Saul Kaye

UPDATE:  This show is not going to happen.  Bands are complex things.  Three, four, sometimes five creative people.  Most of them have lives, and jobs, outside of their life as a musician.

So, when Saul tried to convince his guys to make a trip to Winnemucca, between Christmas and New Years, turned out a couple of them would rather stay home with their friends and families during the Holiday’s, and we don’t blame them.

We’ve canceled the show, and we will all be able to spend more time at home.